Page 30 of The Hometown Legend

“Hometown hero Gideon Payne is back. Gideon got a Purple Heart for outstanding acts of bravery in Afghanistan. And, of course, his dinners will always be on the house. Heroes don’t pay.”

Everyone in the restaurant cheered.

“Of course, the banner outside is meant to mark his return, and there is going to be a procession of classic cars acting as a parade. Gideon, you’re welcome to ride in one of the convertibles. With the top down.”

“That’s very kind, Sarah,” said Gideon, his voice sounding strained, and nothing like she recalled from back before. He couldn’t smile. Or chose not to, she wasn’t sure. “I don’t think I’ll ride, but I will wave to say thanks for the procession.” He frowned. “And the hamburgers. The free hamburgers. Thanks.”

He didn’t appear to be having flashbacks or anything. Which was a relief. But no thanks to the pot-banging. Though maybe he didn’t have flashbacks. She didn’t know.

“How fun,” said Fia. “We get to see Gideon’s parade.”

“He doesn’twanta parade,” said Rory.

“Who doesn’t want a parade?” Quinn asked.

Well. Rory did. Kind of. Maybe. She wanted to feel special. And she didn’t.

But Gideon didn’t want one and shouldn’t someone care about that?

“He looks uncomfortable,” Rory said.

“That could just be indigestion. He had the chili fries,” Quinn said.

She winced. “Bad move.”

“Indeed.”

They got their hamburgers, which they knew were safe, and she looked over at Gideon’s table. Lydia waved at her, and she waved back, which drew Gideon’s attention. He didn’t acknowledge her. His face stayed set like stone, his posture rigid.

She’d put her hand on him last night. She’d been in his kitchen.

He’d driven her to school every day.

He was acting like none of that meant anything.

Maybe it doesn’t?

Well, that would be on brand for her.

She went back to eating her food. They finished around the same time as the Paynes, and when they filtered outside, there wasn’t just a procession of cars, but a brass band. She grimaced as everything unfolded, and a kid standing down on the street corner unleashed a handful of balloons. And Gideon stood there unsmiling.

The band crashed symbols, and she winced. They shuffled together, and that meant that she was standing right beside Gideon. And in spite of herself, she moved closer to him.

“I’m sorry about...all the noise.”

He was watching the proceedings with a blank look on his face. He had been polite in the restaurant, but he wasn’t going to pretend he was enjoying this.

Or maybe he couldn’t. She hadn’t seen him smile since he’d returned. He always looked...distant. Like he didn’t want to be here, or was surprised he was.

“I don’t mind the noise,” he said.

“Oh, that’s...that’s good.”

“Yeah.”

“Everyone is happy to see you.”

He didn’t respond to that.

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